Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Disturbance Pathways in nature generally follow a Converging and Diverging trajectory which excludes the possibility of simple reversal. This means that trying to reverse a pathological process cannot be accomplished by retracing the steps which created the problem. This would be analogous to a river flow. Tributaries converge to a main flow which may then divergently fan out at the delta. Each convergence and divergence point has its own conditions of merger which makes reversal a very complex affair. This is certainly obvious when examing the interconnectiveness of the nervous system or circulation.

We tend to forget this biological fact when considering treatment and management. Here are some examples.

1.The mechanism and effects of non-exercise are not the same as exercise. Or putting it another way. Exercise is not an antidote for sedentary life (see power point presentation )
2.Treatment for cancer will not return a person to the pre-cancer state. The etiological cause is often ignored as irrelevent.
3.Treatment for infection can leave a person scarred.The route of entry of bacteria into the body is of secondary consequence.

In contrast to the general irreversibility of pathways, closure is certainly possible. Stable loops are common.
1.Heart activity is a disturbance cycle.
2.Gait patterns are a disturbance cycle.
3.Eating food is a disturbance cycle.
4.Menstrual cycle is a disturbance cycle
5.Circadian Rythym is a disturbance cycle
6.Many biochemical pathways are closed disturbance cycles (eg Citric Acid Cycle)
7.The nervous system is full of feedback closed disturbance cycles.(recurring thoughts,perceptions)
8.Sporting skills makes use of repetitive closed disturbance cycles. (precision)

Given cyclic and irreversible pathways, biology has no possibility of going backwards. Causes can be discovered and stopped BUT reversing negative changes requires a new novel pathway unrelated to the causative pathway.